How can I get rid of Windows Update reboot prompt?

Phillip Wells picture Phillip Wells · Sep 11, 2008 · Viewed 8.6k times · Source

I want Windows Update to automatically download and install updates on my Vista machine, however I don't want to be bothered by the system tray reboot prompts (which can, at best, only be postponed by 4 hours).

I have performed the registry hack described here to prevent Windows forcibly rebooting my machine, which is a good start. However, is there any way to get rid of the reboot prompts altogether, or decrease their frequency?

Answer

Curtis picture Curtis · Sep 11, 2008

Not sure if it is the same for vista, but worth a try.

On Windows XP, you can modify a group policy setting to change how frequently it re-prompts you. (start -> run type gpedit.msc)

Look under Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/Windows Components/Windows Update

The setting you want is called Re-Prompt for restart with scheduled installations. The default is 10 minutes.

You can also try modifying the No auto-restart for scheduled Automatic Updates installations setting found in the same location.